Hi MirCurl, I've had exactly the same experiences as you! AG: Recoil is very drying but if I use a lot of condish underneath I can get great curls. I worry about the drying though so I don't use it often.

SSCEJ is nice for shine and for defining but doesn't hold for me. It is nice as a glaze though, as a refresher.

I've never tried flaxseed gel. Today I tried Deva Volumizing Foam and nothing else. I'm going to try one product at a time and note the results and try to be "scientific" about it to discover what works best for me.

I think you are my hair twin. Yippee

2/c-3a Coarse hair med. density.
Highly porous. Color over grey.
I love all the Curl Junkie products. Still experimenting with gels and curl creams. Still hoping for 2nd day hair.... Every day is a gift